MISCELLANEOUS COMMUNICATIONS.

WESLEYAN MISSIONARY FINANCE.

In the opinion of considerate and well-informed persons, the institutions conducted within the pale of Wesleyan management are remarkable on two accounts: one is to be found in the absence of parade or outward show; and another is, that the end proposed, and nothing else, is kept steadily in view. In other words, the largest possible amount of good is aimed at, by the use of the smallest possible amount of means.

These marks of superiority are to be seen in the Wesleyan Missionary Society; a design which, for extent and usefulness, is to be placed in the very first rank of Christian effort. Nor will it be deemed surprising that a work of such magnitude has called forth a large share of public attention. It is a remarkable fact, however, that, though this popular and magnificent enterprise is known throughout the churches as an encouraging proof of enlightened liberality, a large portion (and perhaps the majority) of friends and contributors have a limited and imperfect view of the internal management of its affairs; and, as some misconception has prevailed on this important point, it may not be amiss so far to lift the veil as to exhibit an outline of the manner in which the funds, raised by generous patrons, are managed and applied.

From observations occasionally made by friends whose opportunity for gaining information is scanty, it is clear that, in their view, the accounts of the Wesleyan Missions exhibit very little of order or method; and that the Secretaries, though good and excellent men, have no other notion of finance than that money is received from those who choose to give, and paid to those who claim it; and that, when the expenditure exceeds the income, they borrow what is wanted from the first good-natured person they happen to meet with.

This, to a certain extent, is true: for, in fact, all financial transactions resolve themselves into the two general heads of receipt and expenditure, though subject to almost endless modification. But, if it be supposed that the accounts of the Missions are left to float on a sea of uncertainty, that a mere cash memorandum is taken of moneys received,—or that an account is crossed out when paid, in the humble fashion of retail trade; if it be imagined that the produce of public liberality, given for a specific purpose, is suffered to lie about in a vague or wayward manner; nothing can be more erroneous. And it may be fairly stated, that the mode in which the pecuniary affairs of the Wesleyan Missionary Society are managed, is so correct and exact as to challenge a comparison with that of the most respectable commercial houses, either in London or elsewhere.

That this subject is of great importance, no one can doubt; for, were it supposed, or could any one prove, that the hard-earned money, of which the income of the Society is composed, is placed in insecure custody, or is carelessly disbursed, public confidence would abate, and a blow thus struck at the root of the establishment would speedily bring it to the ground.

If it be inquired, when the pecuniary operations of the Wesleyan Missions began to be faithfully managed, the answer, given with all honesty and frankness, is,―There never was a time in which they were not so managed. That is, the strongest moral evidence that can arise from the

character and conduct of the managers was always producible. If it be asked, for what reason the present matured system of account-keeping was not adopted in the first instance, the reply is, that this improvement, like most others in Methodism, was suggested by the peculiar circumstances of the time, and, especially, by the unprecedented growth of the Society's income. The particulars of a contribution reaching to £500 a year, or even to twice that sum, may be noted without any extraordinary trouble, and by the commonest process of simple enumeration. But when such contributions are multiplied more than an hundred fold, as is the case with the Wesleyan Missions, there must be not only a proportionate increase in the agency employed, but an adaptation of the system itself. The light skiff that runs along the shore may be impelled by the muscular effort of an experienced rower; but the stately steam-ship, with her cargo of many hundred tons, especially if driven against wind and tide, and destined beyond seas,-will obey nothing less than the impulse of that mighty mechanism, by means of which the genius of Watt has enabled the mariner to traverse the world of waters with celerity almost equal to a postal communication.

The day, it is trusted, will come when some leisurely and competent pen will supply a careful history of Wesleyan Missions. Nor, from the amount of interest which such a work would possess, is there any risk in affirming that the author would be amply encouraged. On the present occasion it may be enough to state, that the Wesleyan Missionary Society, like Methodism itself, had a very small beginning; and that both have alike grown and prospered under the care of a benign and over-ruling Providence.

In the "Laws and Regulations" contained in the first few pages of the Annual Report, the name of Thomas Coke, LL.D., is specially mentioned as one of the honoured Founders of the Wesleyan Missionary Society. This is proper, because it is literally true. To omit some reference to the Doctor, even in the slightest retrospect of this institution, would be to describe the superstructure of an edifice, with entire forgetfulness of the laborious workmen who dug deep for a solid basis, and laid therein a good foundation.

There can be no doubt that, during the life of Dr. Coke, then principal director of Wesleyan Missions, the greater part of the income raised passed through his hands,-under the control, to a certain extent, of a small Committee. The account-keeping of those days was not remarkable for symmetry, and it would perhaps hardly bear close analysis; but no one ever dreamed of impeaching the integrity of the Doctor. No one, indeed, had any right or ground to do so. His entire career was a noble specimen of total indifference to worldly aggrandizement. Every one who knew that excellent man, (and the writer of these lines had that advantage,) must be aware that he lived only for others; that he never regarded his own ease or profit; and that, after having sacrificed the last penny of a respectable independence, he gave up his life to the Missionary cause. Previously to his departure for India in 1813, his devotion to the work was specially remarkable. Beside numerous and lengthened consultations with his brethren in the ministry, which necessarily arose from so large an undertaking, the Doctor was Collector-General; and he actually traversed the entire kingdom at set and suitable intervals, personally applying for pecuniary help from door to door.

In these herculean labours, it will not be supposed that the metropolis

was forgotten. As the Doctor was not much of a pedestrian, he usually explored the defiles of London in what was then called a “hackney-coach," a vehicle which, though drawn by two horses, was a slow and ponderous affair, as compared with the fleetness of a modern cabriolet. On these occasions, to give strength to his applications, the Doctor generally contrived to procure the company of some influential lay-gentleman; and there are a few still living who remember the cheerful and confiding manner in which the good old Christian Missionary requested the favour of the accustomed guinea, and the satisfaction he evidently felt when the coin was deposited in his trusty purse. It is believed that, in this laborious way, the Doctor collected by far the greater part of the Missionary income at that time received.

Most Wesleyans are aware that Dr. Coke finished his earthly course on board the "Cabalva," on the outward-bound passage to India; and that his remains were committed to the deep, "in sure and certain hope" of a glorious resurrection when the sea shall yield up her dead. This event was the signal for general Missionary movement throughout the Wesleyan community. The first impression, on losing Dr. Coke, was, that the Missionary cause was ruined. People thought that, as the leader was gone, the work must follow; so defective and short-sighted are man's views, even at the best. The fact is, that, so far from injuring the cause of Missions, the loss of its distinguished advocate and patron was so over-ruled as to become the means of promoting a far better and more extensive plan of operation, by means of which the work was spread over the surface of the globe as doors of entrance were presented.

But the transition, from comparative privacy to the very prominent position eventually assumed by these Missions, could not be effected at once. The growth of such a body, like that of the human frame, must be gradual and progressive. Business was attempted, at first, on a very limited scale. The small Committee then in existence met in an apartment at the Book-Room, City-road, London,-known at that time as Dr. Coke's Room. At length, after much deliberation, courage rose so high, that the first-floor of a house was taken. These premises were near Finsbury-square; and the lower part of the dwelling was occupied by Mr. Bruce, the worthy stationer, and a useful Community-Preacher. An excellent and active young man, Mr. William Temple, who afterwards became a Missionary, and who still survives, was engaged to manage the home-department. He was clerk, messenger, shipping-agent, or whatever else was required in the infant state of this humble Mission-house; and exceedingly well he conducted himself.

The extension and stability of the Missionary cause are too well known, to require minute description. Eminent and distinguished men were raised up and qualified, by the Head of the church, for framing laws, and placing the establishment upon a firm foundation. If we pass over some who yet survive to bless and serve their generation, Adam Clarke, Joseph Benson, and Richard Watson may be mentioned as Pastors over the flock of Christ, whose names will long be fragrant, and who by the splendour of their eloquence, the force of their reasonings, and the purity of their lives, were the means of placing Wesleyan Missions in a position more commanding than former days had ever seen or surmised. Closely connected with these were several liberal-minded laymen,—as a specimen of whom, and without the least disparagement to a long list of zealous associates and successors, the names of Joseph Butterworth, Lancelot Haslope, and Joseph Bulmer may

be quoted, as ensamples fit for lasting imitation. In respect of unbounded zeal, intensity of feeling, comprehensive charity, and a noble forgetfulness of self-interest, these were all men of renown. In a sense of which the great poet of Imagination never dreamed, they "encircled the earth with a girdle of light," if not in forty fancied minutes, yet in less than that number of actual years.

From the period now referred to, the Missions maintained by Wesleyan generosity continued to advance in public estimation and usefulness. The small hired room near Finsbury-square became too strait for the expanding processes of Christian labour; and, in the course of a short time, a commodious house, and offices attached, were secured in Hatton-garden. The Committee-room in these premises will long be remembered as the scene of many an animated and well-sustained discussion; and, no doubt, many a Missionary, far away from his native shores, has often looked back, and thought of the kind and discreet counsels received from his seniors under the roof of that building.

As Foreign Stations began to multiply, and as Auxiliary and Branch Associations were established at home, it followed, as a matter of course, that an increased number of officers was necessary to conduct the vastlyaugmented business. An effort was then made to communicate to the public, periodically, such information as was likely to serve the general cause. In this attempt the press was properly resorted to; and in January, 1816, Number One of the "Missionary Notices," price two-pence, was published by Thomas Blanshard, at that time Book-Steward.

It was a favourite sentiment of Charles Wesley, that though "the Almighty buries His workmen, He carries on His work." In no instance has the truth of this observation been more signally verified, than in the department of Wesleyan Missions. The Fathers and Founders have long since disappeared; but so it has happened, that the removal of eminent and able men has been uniformly followed by the introduction of an agency which, taken in its united and collective form, has gone far to supply the deficiency.

On a retrospect of the last half-century it may be stated, that the musterroll of labourers in this capital undertaking includes many of the most energetic men, both in the ministry and among the laity, that ever entered the Wesleyan Society. With regard to the former, time would fail to name even a tithe of them, much more to point out their individual excellence. They comprise, altogether, "a great cloud of witnesses" in behalf of an aggressive Christianity,-not a few of them admirably qualified for laying the foundation of future prosperity, in that sort of concrete and enduring substance which shrinks from no amount of superincumbent pressure.

Wesleyans, on the whole, are a thinking people. On matters of acknowledged importance, they take time to consider. Hence they generally conclude, (and surely it is wisely done,) that those pursuits and arrangements which stand the test of time and experience are the most valuable. This they do in regard to personal religion, the most important consideration that ever occupied the mind of man. They often meet to speak of their experience, and to hear that of others. On a kindred principle, they are inclined to watch the progress of religion among the masses, and to put a value on the means intended to support it. Tried by this test, which seems a good one, Missions will lose nothing. They are now no novelty. Such a feature has long since worn away; and, whether viewed as an integral

part of the Methodist Society, or as the natural and legitimate produce of Christianity itself, the entire design commends itself, in the most conclusive manner, to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

These lines being intended to apply chiefly to the internal management of the affairs of the Society, as conducted at the central Mission-House, no attempt will be made to trace the proceedings in distant places or on foreign soil.

While we accordingly keep within the circle of the home-department, it may be observed that in 1839,-a year rendered remarkable as completing the hundredth year of the Wesleyan Society,-the "Centenary-Hall and Mission-House," in Bishopsgate-street-within, was presented, by the Directors of one of the most splendid demonstrations of modern Christian liberality, to the Missionary Society.

No London resident is unacquainted with the spot on which this beautiful edifice is placed; nor is it going too far to state, in view of the entire range of the metropolis, (including, in the city and suburban districts, a population of some two millions and a half,) that the position of the Wesleyan Mission-House is perfectly central, combining, moreover, the advantages of one of the first resorts for mercantile and other purposes.

For the last eleven years the financial affairs of the Wesleyan Missions have been conducted within the walls of this latter House. And it must here be observed, (for the omission would be unpardonable,) that the cause is deeply indebted to the late Joseph Taylor, for some time one of the General Secretaries, not merely for the faithful discharge of duty, (for his ardent mind was seldom content with that,) but for the persevering and successful pains he took to place and preserve the accounts in good and safe condition. He was a living and practical comment on a text of Scripture occasionally quoted as an incentive to diligence: "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." He acted on the sound and approved principle which decides that that which deserves to be done, deserves to be done well. There were, moreover, in this valuable man, great warmth of affection and kindness of heart. He could bear interruption without being ruffled he knew how to make allowance for well-meant intrusiveness, and to cover all such blemishes with a large mantle of that "charity" which "never faileth." It may be said that, in the entire array of superior men who at that juncture came up to the help of the Lord, (and the number of them was by no means small,) not one brought to bear upon the rising cause a more upright, generous, and transparent mind than he.

Among other improvements suggested or directly introduced by the Rev. Joseph Taylor, may be named the present mode of account-keeping, which is found most satisfactory and complete. The system is founded on the safe and well-known principle of double-entry; but it is rendered more simple than formerly, and is carried into effect with fewer figures. Without attempting to describe the process, (which could be done only by example, or by remarks of inconvenient length,) it may suffice to state that the accounts are so kept that, in the event of a mistake, whether wilful or not, detection must follow,-not perhaps at the moment, or next day, but eventually. And this for the reason, that all sums of money, whether received or paid, are entered in two separate columns of figures; one of which contains single receipts or payments, and the other the entire amount for a given period. If the accounts are right, these two ranges of calculation agree; if wrong, they do not, because they cannot. Verbal statements may deceive, and evasions may lurk under the guise of glossy and flowery